Cardinals should return to playoffs with Warner back
Had the San Francisco 49ers been able to lure free agent Kurt Warner from the Arizona Cardinals, that probably would have shifted the balance of power in the NFC West in 2009 and most definitely would have altered those teams’ futures odds on WagerWeb.com substantially.
Well, the Cardinals should remain the NFC West favorites now that Warner is staying in the desert after agreeing to a two-year, $23 million contract with $19 million guaranteed. The soon-to-be 38-year-old threw for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns for the Cardinals during the regular season this past season. In four playoff games, he completed 92 of 135 passes for 1,147 yards for 11 touchdowns and three interceptions.
“We finally got it done,” agent Mark Bartelstein told The Associated Press. “We’re excited about that. I think it’s good for everybody.”
The deal came after Warner lowered his demands. Initially, he had sought to be among the top five paid quarterbacks in the NFL, about $14.5 million a year. But on Tuesday, he told Bartelstein to offer Arizona a two-year, $23 million deal. The Cardinals initially had offered two years and $20 million.
He never wanted to leave Arizona, he said, and will do his best to sell the team on extending unhappy receiver Anquan Boldin as well. In fact, Warner offered to reduce his salary by $1 million per season if the team signs Boldin to a new contract.
When Bartelstein disclosed Warner’s revised contract proposal to the Cardinals on Tuesday, he told the Arizona Republic that the deal was for less than Warner could have gotten from the 49ers. San Francisco said no offer was made.
If Arizona had let Warner go, fans who had finally returned to the club would have revolted, and the Bidwell family would have lost all credibility. If the Bidwells also can get Boldin to re-sign, there is no reason this club can’t compete for the NFC title again. The NFC West should be a no-brainer again.
However, what does this mean for Matt Leinart? The former USC star might asked to be traded now since it’s clear he won’t see the field any time of soon. However, Leinart has little leveragem although a team like the Jets or Bucs might make a play.
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